Hugh Jardon, brother of Hugh Janus reporting this week. Janus has taken an extended period of absence after his debutant submission last week. I can report he’s doing fine, but his boils are playing up again and he’s kindly asked for rest until the swelling goes down. All those at Mustards blog incorporate wish him a speedy recovery.

Anyway

On a warm, nay scratch that, on a hot.   No let me try that again.  On a day that can only be described as a Betty swollocks sticking to both legs simultaneously sort of day, Bayshill CC had the honour of visiting the hidden gem of a cricket ground that is Temple Grafton CC.

1pm start, turned out to be a 1pm meet.  The hosts where half the team at the time were coming from a youth game kindly asked to bat and Bayshill graciously adhered to the request.

AVD – Leading Campaigner for Cricket teas to be brought back unless it’s only Cheese and Vegetables, was given the responsibility of opening the bowling.  An honour that hasn’t been bestowed on him in many a year.  A new cherry in hand (woodworm brand, other balls available) and Alex went to work confidently, working away at TGCCs openers R. James and L. Bilbrouam. 
A barrage of deliveries consisting of yorkers and leg cutters made for a fine spell. In his third over, Alex claimed the first wicket of the match. R. James nicked off, and was caught by stand-in keeper Angus.  It was…… An actual genuine cricket wicket.   A rarity for the Sunday game.  James departed for 8. With the score at 31-1.

Bilbrouam was joined by W.G Grace lookalike A. Kirk.  And unfortunately for the Bays he could bat like him too.  Runs came plenty for these two power players. The ball was hit aggressively to the corners of the ground, with a few occasionally venturing over the boundary and into the heavy farmland that surrounded the pitch.

After a spare ball or two later, along with the match ball being found. Which I might add, was completely unrecognisable and completely undid all the hard work of yours truly here, in his effort to shine and look after the ball.  Fellow opening bowler Soggy Saunders claimed the wicket of Bilbrouam in his last over.

One mighty blow too many on a pitch of variable bounce and L.B spooned one straight to mid off who took the catch with utter calmness and composure.  Who was this catcher I hear you all ask.  Well it was none other than Coleen himself Mr Colin Harding.  Bays regulars were right to be surprised as Colin only saves himself for moments of fielding magic when it’s one of his Sons batting against him or AVD.

With L.B departing for a well earned 55. P Byrne (no relation to Father Dick Byrne of Rugged Island) played a supporting role to A.K. (W.G).

Tom and Roddy Peeper Piper Pickleson were first change bowlers. With AVD taking over glove work duties. The scorer was sensibly warned that he might need an extra page or two for scoring the upcoming byes. (There were only 3 byes I should highlight all innings, both Angus and Avd did very well)

Tom bowled tidy line and length, but took himself off to preserve a tight ham string after 4 overs going for 8 runs. Rod suffered the raff of W.G Kirk who seemed to take a fancy to Roddy’s usual tricky deliveries. Hitting him over mid on for more times than Peeper would like to recall.

Skipper Pritchard – more commonly known as Beth’s father. Made a bold change and brought on Angus to try and stop the onslaught, and it worked. One wicket maiden later with P. Byrne being bowled with a ripsnorter of a nipbacker that hit the top of off stump. A sight any bowler loves to see.

Adrian Pierce at the other end, bowled with a rhythm and beat only a record selling maestro can produce. He claimed the danger wicket of Kirk. The ball was thumped hard to long on like a speeding missile, heading for another six. This time though the ball found it’s maximum bound ark stopped by Tom, who channeled his inner Colleen on the boundary. Taking the tricky catch with expertise. In the book Kirk was out for 49. An unfortunate jug avoidance. However if any Temple Grafton statisticians are reading, I do recommend recounting. As it might actually tally up to 52.

The last wicket to fall was H. Byrne who was out LBW to Pierce claiming his second. Nobby Pierce certainly doesn’t mind being on this side of an LBW call. The young Byrne went for 15 which included 3 fine fours

The Youthful tail of TGCC wagged for the rest of the innings. Ending with Father Daughter duo D and R Cross both carrying their bats with scores of 3* and 14*. After 30 overs the hosts had put up the score of 155.

After the now customary and highly enjoyable sensation that is “bring your own teas” which was much appreciated by all. Especially my cupcake. Of course, with the exception of the campaigning AVD. Taking inspiration from just stop oil he took to the pitch to protest. He was quickly removed and giving a seeing too.

The Bays started their run chase with Bagos and Pierce opening. A tricky start for Bays as Bagos was out second over for 2 runs. An LBW from M. Harvey saw Bagos depart the field, and as did the man who gave it as he had to pad up. No complaints from Bagos as he knew that early on in his innings one should play through the V and not take a big swipe across the line.

Skippy P joined Nobby and both went on to play textbook cricket with an array of drives, cuts, sweeps, suicidal running, flicks containing an impressive collection of fours and sixes. With a 50 partnership approaching, and chatter on the boundary by the Bays rising. AVD claimed that Pritchard was looking very good out there, after the captain had hit a fine six. An innocent claim for those initiated, but for those who do, they all know too well the jynx that AVD had just put on Pritchard.

Two balls later old Pritchers was caught and bowled. “I started thinking too much” said the Bays capitano. “They plugged the leg side, so I told myself to now hit straight”. Too straight he played and the ball was snaffled by the bowler for 26 off 22 balls (2 fours 2 sixes). With the score at 55 for 2 off 8 overs.

Avd next in, played sensibly opting to respect tight bowling from the youthful attack. Adrian continued on, before being hit on the pad and the finger was raised. A few complaints from the departing batter as he left the field after a finely made 33. A long stride forward wasn’t enough to save him from a straight and low delivery.

Angus joined AVD and the two keepers for the bays decided amongst themselves who was going to be Bairstow and who Foakes. Angus was going Jonny B, and AVD channeled his inner Foakes by no longer playing in the rest of the match. A good ball and AVD top edged for mid wicket to catch off the bowler Chloe for 15.

Estonia extraordinaire Colleen marched in at 6. And supported Angus, who, for the second week in a row was enjoying facing a young bowling unit. Approaching his second fifty in as many weeks, he was clean bowled. However, it was fairly called a no ball, due to it bouncing 4 or 5 times en route before the stumps were sent cartwheeling.

Pritchard at square leg umpire made a mental note. And decided to not say anything. Until he could at every opportunity. Angus continued, and brought up his fifty with a tidy sweep for 4. With only one run behind TGCCs score he continued on. Pritchard made a mental note. And decided not to say anything. Until he could at every opportunity.

Harding now with the chance to win the game, went for the winning swing. And was subsequently stumped. Walking off with a smile as it undoubtedly made the day of the young bowler getting a fine wicket.

Roddy Macleod joined with the scores level and 1.4 overs left of the game to play. Very tidy bowling ensured and Rod doing his best Jack Leach impression dotted out the over. Leaving Angus to face the last.

First ball. Forward defense. High elbow. No run.
Second ball. Forward defense. Higher elbow. No run.
Third ball. A tentative push, but at a fielder no run.
Fourth ball, a bigger push to mid on. Run was opted not to be taken.
Rod went down the pitch to talk to Angus about the situation. As only professionals do.
Fifth ball, same shot and area. Unfortunately the young man at mid on misfielded. And Angus and Rod got to the other end of the wicket safely to claim the game. And Bay’s fifth Sunday win on the trot.

A game played in great spirits with both teams thoroughly enjoying themselves with cricket undoubtedly be the winner. TGCC will certainly benefit in the long run with good match time for their young side in years to come.

Beers were enjoyed at the ground. And then at the Rotunda. Where a Hawaiian cricket shirt gained the unwanted attention of a man who’s date didn’t show up in Worcester. Drowning his sorrows, he claimed it was the best shirt he’d seen in years. And then claimed he was going to do something I don’t want to repeat whilst thinking of the shirt. Completely befouling the Hawaiian shirt in question.

Next game for the Bays is home game at Down Hatherley vs Cheltenham Asians CC. It’s going to be a cracker as Bays always enjoy playing CACC.

Come on the bays!